F-35's Pilots Get Iron Man Targeting Upgrade

You've probably heard about the magical visualisation system in the F-35, the fabled Electro Optical Distributed Aperture System (or DAS) that feeds all kinds of data to pilots using demon helmets. Now it just got a new feature that makes it indistinguishable from a video game: hostile ground fire detection. Check out this cool video.

According to Northrop Grumman, DAS has now added "hostile ground fire detection to its capabilities by successfully detecting and locating tanks that were firing live rounds during preparations for a military exercise." The test worked flawlessly, they say, as the video demonstrates:

While being flown on Northrop Grumman's BAC 1-11 test aircraft, the DAS detected and located tank fire from an operationally significant distance. In addition to artillery, the system is able to simultaneously detect and pinpoint the location of rockets and anti-aircraft artillery fired in a wide area.

They claim that this capability will greatly help ground forces and other aircraft, as this information will be gathered and shared in real time as the F-35 performs its mission in enemy territory. Also, this will help the airplane to provide with "close air support and ground fire targeting."

The DAS is a real-time visualisation, targeting, and situational awareness marvel that combines the feeds from six advanced infrared digital cameras located around the aircraft and other sensors-like radar-into a seamless panorama. [YouTube]